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“I’m good now. Go away.” She pushes against me.
“I’m leaving the bathroom door open.”
“No!” Her voice is loud as she practically shouts. “I want privacy.”
“I’ll leave it cracked and I’m coming back in exactly ten minutes to check on you to make sure you haven’t drowned.” I don’t give her a chance to argue. I exit the room, leaving the door cracked. I go to the kitchen so she’ll have privacy to do whatever she has to do before slipping into the tub.
Ten minutes drag by as I fix myself that shot of whiskey and grab a donut from the cupboard. It’s an odd combination, but there’s nothing normal about my current situation, so it’s a fitting midnight snack. Both of our clocks are all sorts of screwed up right now.
When ten minutes are past, I quickly move to the bathroom and tap on the door. “You awake, Cori?”
“Yes,” she says with a relaxed sigh.
“I’m coming in.” I step through the door and wonder if a healthy, thirty-three-year-old man can have a heart attack. The sight of her beneath the suds makes sweat break out on my skin. Maybe checking on her wasn’t my best idea ever. How can I have sex on the brain when the woman’s injured? I’m a monster.
“Blaze,” she says on a sigh that has my erection throbbing painfully.
“Yes.” The word comes out a bit too terse.
“Thank you for taking such good care of me. You didn’t have to do all of this.” She isn’t looking at me. Her head’s leaning against the tub, her eyes closed.
“I’ve enjoyed it.” I’m moving forward instead of away. I should leave, check on her again in another ten minutes, but I can’t pull myself from the room.
“It means a lot to me.”
“What kind of man would I be if I left you in your condition?” I find myself sitting on the edge of the tub, my fingers reaching into the water. I don’t touch her, but it’s killing me not to as I swirl her bubbles around.
“I’m not your responsibility. Now accept the thanks.” She chuckles as she stirs. I’m mesmerized by a place in the middle of the tub where the bubbles have separated. I see a piece of her smooth creamy skin below the surface of the water and, without thinking, reach for her and run a finger over her stomach. Her eyes fly open and our gazes connect. There’s enough heat between us to make the water boil.
“Want to join me? The water’s nice.” Her voice sounds shy all of a sudden. I should say no. A gentleman would walk away and make sure she’s in full health, not take advantage of the situation. But I stand and reach for my clothes to shed them.
Cori doesn’t look away as I first pull off my shirt and then slip my pants down. I’m throbbing, standing beside the tub. Nothing can hide my desire for this woman. She looks down and my body pulses as if she’s caressed me with her fingers instead of her eyes.
Carefully I step over the edge of the tub and she leans forward. I sit behind her, then circle my arms around her and tug her against me. My heart thumps against her back and I suddenly feel a deep sense of calm, having her in my arms again.This woman is changing me in so many ways, and what’s strange about it, is that I’m not afraid.
Though desire’s certainly on my mind, I also feel perfectly content to simply hold her while she heals. When she does, I want to have another bath with her — that’s for sure, one that gives us both an incredibly happy ending. But for now, I’m happy to hold her, to be one with her in more ways than through sex. We sit in the tub and I gently caress her as the water cools. I can’t honestly remember feeling more at peace than I do in this very moment. Cori turns her head, resting it against my neck.
“I’m still incredibly tired. I don’t know how it’s possible after all of the sleep I’ve had but...” Cori trails off as she snuggles in closer. I feel the whisper of her lips against my neck and a pleasant tiredness falls over me as well.
Keeping her in my arms, I stand and pull us both from the tub. I take my time drying Cori off as she sways on her feet. Touching her, even with the towel between her body and my fingers, has me hard and ready to take her, but I mentally yell at myself to calm down. This night’s about her, not me.
I quickly dry myself, then wrap the towel around my hips before lifting her into my arms again, her naked body pressing against my chest. I set her on the bed and she goes to lie down but I stop her.
“Let me get you a dose of medicine.”
“Okay.” Her eyes are droopy, her face relaxed. The fact she isn’t fighting me this time shows how much this minimal activity has worn her out. I’m glad I didn’t try to push anything I shouldn’t have.
Quickly grabbing her medicine, I help her lie down. Then I throw on some sweats before climbing in behind her and tugging her into my arms. Desire’s still with me, but it’s pushed to the back of my mind as my hand splays out on her stomach, my body cradling hers.
Finally, Cori lets down her guard. I get a glimpse of what it could be like between the two of us... forever. I’m not sure I can let her retreat again. Not after what she’s showed me — not after getting what I never knew I wanted. Home. I’m finally home I realize before sleep pulls me under.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Courtney
Stretching, I feel cold sheets when I awake and reach for Blaze. Emptiness fills me as I open my eyes and look for the man who’s been with me for the past three days. I turn on my back and look up at the ceiling as the fan slowly turns in circles. My body aches in more ways than one, but the pain’s more manageable this morning. My heartbreak seems a far worse condition at the moment.
I’ve allowed myself to enjoy being in Blaze’s arms, in relying on him. But as I face the reality of a new day without him, I wonder if I’ve made a monumental mistake. I’ve slipped and that wall around my heart has come crumbling down. I’m not sure I’ll be able to build it back up again this time.
